Variable format game board

ABSTRACT

A game board comprising a lens mosaic and an adjacent image bearing transparency incorporating a plurality of game board formats for selective display of a desired game board format format on a screen by a light source spaced from the game board. There is also provided a mechanism for producing relative motion between the game board and light source to selectively change the game board format and vary the game board conditions of a particular game according to a random or programmed temporal sequence.

United States Patent Nelson B. Wlnkless, III

Sunnyvale, Calif.

Feb. 1 2, 1968 Dec. 28, 1971 Mierolens, lnc.

e/o Andrew B. Kjos Teeters, Palmer, Kjos 8: Glass, Palo Alto, Calif.

lnventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee VARIABLE FORMAT GAME BOARD 13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[15. Cl 273/136 A, 35/9 R, 40/137 Int. Cl A631 3/00, 60% 3/00 Field ofSearch 273/130,

{56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,018,107 1/1962 Erickson 273/136 3,068,009 12/1962 Quackenbush et a1. 273/87 3,410,561 11/1968 Ekstrand 273/134 FORElGN PATENTS 386,446 12/1923 Germany 273/136 512,536 11/1930 Germany. 273/130 Primary Examiner-Delbert B. Lowe Attorney-Limbach & Limbach & Sutton ABSTRACT: A game board comprising a lens mosaic and an adjacent image bearing transparency incorporating a plurality of game board formats for selective display of a desired game board format format on a screen by a light source spaced from the game board. There is also provided a mechanism for producing relative motion between the game board and light source to selectively change the game board format and vary the game board conditions of a particular game according to a random or programmed temporal sequence.

PATENTEU M828 IBTI SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG.4b

FIG.5

w ELECTRODES FOR SELECTIVE POLARIZATION SOURCE R O T N E V W IILELSON B. WIN KLESS HI ATTORNEYS- VARIABLE FORMAT GAME BOARD This invention relates to a new and improved game board useful in a variety of educational games and other games in which a game board is used.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved game board having a plurality of game board formats incorporated therein for selective display of the desired game board format. Another object of the invention is to provide a game board in which the format of the game board changes in time according to either a random or programmed sequence to thereby vary the game board conditions of a particular game.

In order to accomplish these results, one aspect of the present invention contemplates providing a composite lens mosaic and integrally fonned image bearing plane such as a film transparency on which is preexposed through the lens mosaic from light of different angles of incidence a plurality of game board formats. Instead of the film a printed or embossed J transparency may be formed from the preexposed film master and used with the lens mosaic. The invention also contemplates providing a light source spaced from the composite lens mosaic and preexposed film or image bearing plane for selective projection of one of the preexposed game board formats on a screen depending upon the relative positions of the light source and the composite lens mosaic and preexposed film or image bearing plane.

Another aspect of the invention contemplates the provision of means for providing relative motion between the light source and the game board formed from the composite lens mosaic and image bearing plane such as means for varying the position of the light source to thereby vary the game board format in time according to a random or programmed sequence and thereby vary the conditions of the game.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings FIG. I is a side cross-sectional view of a game board embodying the present invention in which relative motion between the game board and light source is provided by motion of the light source.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of another form of game board embodying the present invention in which relative motion between the game board and light source is provided by motion of the game board.

FIGS. 3a and 3b are fragmentary cross-sectional views of a composite lens mosaic and film and a light mask used in preexposure of the film.

FIGS. 40 and 4b are views similar to FIG. 1 showing different embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1 there is provided a game board 10 formed of a light diffusing screen ll, such as frosted glass or plastic, and a composite lens mosaic l2 and image bearing plane 13 such as a preexposed photographic film transparency or printed or embossed transparency fonned therefrom. Spaced from the composite lens mosaic and film is a light source 14 mounted for rotational and/or translational motion on a support 15 driven by a motor 16. The motor 16 is controlled by a timer 17 having a suitable control 18 on the outside of the game board. The motor may also be provided with a separate control 19.

The lens mosaic 12 which extends across the area of the game board may be constructed in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,267,826 issued on Aug. 23, 1966. The image bearing plane 13 may be a photographic emulsion integrally adhered to the lens mosaic in the focal plane of the lenses comprising the lens mosaic. The film 13 is preexposed through the lens mosaic 12 to light images of the various game board formats sought to be incorporated in the game board, each format thereby being recorded on film 13 in the form of a multitude of exposure spots forming an image. Preexposure of the film 13 is accomplished by light source 14 through a suitably placed film transparency or light mask passing light in the configuration of a game board format sought to be preexposed on the film 13. A different position of the light source 14 with respect to the composite lens mosaic and film is utilized for each different game board format image to thereby produce behind each lens of the lens mosaic on the film a multitude of nonoverlapping exposure spots, one spot corresponding with each of the different preexposed game board formats. The film, or printed or embossed reproduction of the film, may then be used in the game board.

The lens mosaic may be formed from a multitude of light transparent spheres in a closely packed array in a binder. Alternatively, the lens mosaic may be formed of a light transparent material such as plastic in a mold shaped to produce a lens mosaic surface on one side of the lens material and a flat surface on the opposite side. The lens may be formed of a thickness and of a material having an index of refraction so that each of the lenses comprising the lens mosaic focuses an image of the light projected thereon on the back surface of the lens mosaic. The film screen in the form of a photographic emulsion may then be directly adhered to the back surface of the lens mosaic and in the focal plane of the lenses comprising the lens mosaic.

As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 3a, a film transparency or light mask 20 is positioned in front of the lens mosaic 12 to form an image of one game board format on film 13 in the form of a multitude of exposure spots 21 whose position on the film depends upon the angle of incidence of the incident light and therefore the relative position of the light source 14 with respect to the lens mosaic I2 and film screen 13. As illustrated in FIG. 3b, a different film transparency or light mask 22 corresponding to a different game format forms an image through the lens mosaic 12 on film 13 in the form of a multitude of exposure spots 23 nonoverlapping with the exposure spots corresponding to a different game format due to a different relative position of the light source 14 and the composite lens mosaic l2 and film 13.

The film 13 may be preexposed to provide a plurality of game board formats for playing different games on the game board 10 depending upon the position of the light source 14 relative to the composite lens mosaic and film screen. Thus well-known game board formats such as for checkers, Parcheesi, backgammon, etc., may be preexposed for selective display on the game board screen 1 1.

Alternatively, a plurality of game board formats may be provided for a single game so that the game board conditions imposed by the game board format change in time during the game being played thereon, such as a war game or a stock market game. Thus, the timer and motor can be appropriately set to change the game board format during the game play according to a random or programmed sequence as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, respectively. Random operation of the motor by a random drive 18a results in change of the game board format at random, and programmed operation of the motor by a drive program 18b controlled by a timer 17a results in change of the game board format in programmed sequence. Automatic movement of the light source could be replaced by manual movement of the light source relative to the composite lens mosaic and film screen according to prescribed rules of the game, as by dice throw, etc. Another method of changing the position of the light source relative to the game board would be to direct light from the source on to the game board by a moveable mirror, prism, or aperture.

Random or programmed change in the game board format display can also be provided by selective shuttering of a stationary light source from different positions. Thus, as shown in FIG, 5, a shutter array could be interposed between the light source and the composite lens mosaic 12 and preexposed film 13. Light passed through different shutters of the array would project different game board formats on the screen 11. Such a shutter array could be a ceramic lattice shutter array comprised of a plate of ferroelectric ceramic material, such as hotpressed lead zirconate-lead titanate, having an anisotropic optical response to light when polarized and also comprised of a plurality of electrodes across the plate for selective polarization of localized regions of the plate. Each localized region comprises a shutter portion in the array substantially transparent to light when polarized in a direction normal to the major surface on which light is incident and substantially opaque to light when polarized parallel to the major surface.

Changing the game board format displayed on screen 11 may also be accomplished if the light source is stationary by motion of the film relative to the lens mosaic, as shown in FIG. 6. In that event, the film would not be adhered directly to the lens mosaic and would be separate but adjacent the lens mosain the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2, there is provided a game board or card 30 which is moved about a transparent or light-transmitting grid 31 relative to a fixed light source 32 positioned beneath the light transparent or light-transmitting grid 31. As heretofore described, the game board 30 is formed of a screen and a composite lens mosaic and preexposed film. The film is preexposed to incorporate therein the desired game board formats, each of which is selectively displayed on the screen according to the position of the board 30 on the light transmitting grid 31, which determines the position of the game board 30 relative to light source 32.

In this form of the invention, the game board 30 may comprise a card with a multitude of questions and answers preexposed thereon. The questions could be preexposed on the upper portion and the answers on the lower portion of the card. With the two-dimensional grid of 12 positions on each dimension, a different question and corresponding answer could be preexposed on the screen of the card for each position on the grid thereby providing 144 different question and answer combinations for one card. The positions on the grid could be determined by throwing dice. When placed in the appropriate position, the card answer would be covered until the contestant proposed an answer to the displayed question. A multitude of cards accompanying the light source and transparent grid could thus provide a vast number of questionanswer combinations.

The grid can be formed of light transparent glass or plastic, or merely thin wires stretched to form a supporting plane for the card 30. Grid lines may be provided across the entire grid as indicated in H6. 2 or merely at the borders of the grid to minimize interference with the light source 32.

Although certain embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, other adaptations and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A game board comprising: a screen; a lens mosaic; an image-bearing member positioned adjacent said lens mosaic with the image-bearing surface of said member positioned substantially in the focal plane of said lens mosaic; said image bearing member being a single transparency incorporating therein a plurality of images of game board formats; a portion of each format associated with each lens of said lens mosaic; and means for selectively projecting one of said game board formats on said screen.

2. A game board as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a motor for operating said projecting means to display a sequence of different formats on said screen,

3. The game board of claim 1 wherein said images are in the form of a multitude of spots on said image-bearing member: said projecting means including a light source spaced from said lens mosaic and image-bearing member on the opposite side thereof from said screen; and means for varying the areas of said image-bearing member throu h which pass light rays from said source, whereby to display ifferent game board formats.

4. A game board as set forth in claim 3 wherein said varying means comprises a selectively controlled shutter array interposed between the light source and the lens mosaic.

5. The game board of claim 1 wherein said images are in the form of a multitude of spots on said image-bearing member, there being one spot for each of the lenses comprising the lens mosaic for each game board format, the spots corresponding to lenses of the lens mosaic for different game board formats being substantially nonoverlapping; said projecting means including a light source spaced from said lens mosaic and imagebearing member on the opposite side thereof from said screen selectively to display on the screen different game board formats for different relative positions of said light source, said lens mosaic and said image-bearing member; and means for varying the areas of said image-bearing member through which pass light rays from said source, whereby to display on said screen different game board formats.

6. A game board as set forth in claim 5 wherein said varying means comprises a selectively controlled shutter array interposed between the light source and the lens mosaic.

7. A game board as set forth in claim 5 and motor-driven means for actuating said varying means in a random sequence.

8. A game board as set forth in claim 5 and motor-driven means for actuating said varying means in a programmed sequence.

9. A game board comprising: a composite element comprising a lens mosaic, an image-bearing member positioned adjacent the lens mosaic with the image-bearing surface of said member positioned in the focal plane of the lenses comprising the lens mosaic and a screen positioned adjacent the image bearing member on one side thereof, said image bearing member having incorporated therein images of a plurality of game board formats; a light-transmitting grid on which said composite lens mosaic, image-bearing member and screen can be positioned in any one of a plurality of positions; and a light source spaced from said composite lens mosaic, image-bearing member and screen and from said grid on the opposite side of said member from said screen whereby a different game board forrnate is displayed on the screen for each different position of the composite lens mosaic, image-bearing member and screen on the light-transmitting grid.

10. A game apparatus comprising: at least one card, each said card comprising a lens mosaic portion, an image-bearing portion in the focal plane of the lenses comprising the lens mosaic, and a screen portion positioned adjacent the imagebearing plane on one said thereof, said image bearing portion being a transparency incorporating therein a plurality of images comprised of a multitude of spots; a light-transmitting grid whereon said card can be positioned in any of a plurality of positions on one side thereof; and a light source spaced from said light-transmitting grid and said card on the opposite side of said grid from said card whereby a different image is displayed on said card for each different position of the card on the light-transmitting grid.

11. The game apparatus of claim 10 wherein said images are a plurality of questions, there being one spot for each lens of the lens matrix for each question, the spots corresponding to the lenses of the lens mosaic for different questions being substantially nonoverlapping.

12. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein there is also incorporated in the image bearing portion of each said card an answer corresponding to each of the questions incorporated therein.

13. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the images are images of questions and corresponding answers. 

1. A game board comprising: a screen; a lens mosaic; an imagebearing member positioned adjacent said lens mosaic with the image-bearing surface of said member positioned substantially in the focal plane of said lens mosaic; said image bearing member being a single transparency incorporating therein a plurality of images of game board formats; a portion of each format associated with each lens of said lens mosaic; and means for selectively projecting one of said game board formats on said screen.
 2. A game board as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a motor for operating said projecting means to display a sequence of different formats on said screen.
 3. The game board of claim 1 wherein said images are in the form of a multitude of spots on said image-bearing member: said projecting means including a light source spaced from said lens mosaic and image-bearing member on the opposite side thereof from said screen; and means for varying the areas of said image-bearing member through which pass light rays from said source, whereby to display different game board formats.
 4. A game board as set forth in claim 3 wherein said varying means comprises a selectively controlled shutter array interposed between the light source and the lens mosaic.
 5. The game board of claim 1 wherein said images are in the form of a multitude of spots on said image-bearing member, there being one spot for each of the lenses comprising the lens mosaic for each game board format, the spots corresponding to lenses of the lens mosaic for different game board formats being substantially nonoverlapping; said projecting means including a light source spaced from said lens mosaic and image-bearing member on the opposite side thereof from said screen selectively to display on the screen different game board formats for different relative positions of said light source, said lens mosaic and said image-bearing member; and means for varying the areas of said image-bearing member through which pass light rays from said source, whereby to display on said screen different game board formats.
 6. A game board as set forth in claim 5 wherein said varying means comprises a selectively controlled shutter array interposed between the light source and the lens mosaic.
 7. A game board as set forth in claim 5 and motor-driven means for actuating said varying means in a random sequence.
 8. A game board as set forth in claim 5 and motor-driven means for actuating said varying means in a programmed sequence.
 9. A game board comprising: a composite element comprising a lens mosaic, an image-bearing member positioned adjacent the lens mosaic with the image-bearing surface of said member positioned in the focal plane of the lenses comprising the lens mosaic and a screen positioned adjacent the image bearing member on one side thereof, said image bearing member having incorporated therein images of a plurality of game board formats; a light-transmitting grid on which said composite lens mosaic, image-bearing member and screen can be positioned in any one of a plurality of positions; and a light source spaced from said composite lens mosaic, image-bearing member and screen and from said grid on the opposite side of said member from said screen whereby a different game board formate is displayed on the screen for each different position of the composite lens mosaic, image-bearing member and screen on the light-transmitting grid.
 10. A game apparatus comprising: at least one card, each said card comprising a lens mosaic portion, an image-bearing portion in the focal plane of the lenses comprising the lens mosaic, and a screen portiOn positioned adjacent the image-bearing plane on one said thereof, said image bearing portion being a transparency incorporating therein a plurality of images comprised of a multitude of spots; a light-transmitting grid whereon said card can be positioned in any of a plurality of positions on one side thereof; and a light source spaced from said light-transmitting grid and said card on the opposite side of said grid from said card whereby a different image is displayed on said card for each different position of the card on the light-transmitting grid.
 11. The game apparatus of claim 10 wherein said images are a plurality of questions, there being one spot for each lens of the lens matrix for each question, the spots corresponding to the lenses of the lens mosaic for different questions being substantially nonoverlapping.
 12. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein there is also incorporated in the image bearing portion of each said card an answer corresponding to each of the questions incorporated therein.
 13. A game apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the images are images of questions and corresponding answers. 